Radios too? Second wave of mysterious explosions rocks Lebanon as communication devices again blow up across country

Reports come after exploding pagers wounded almost 3,000 just 24 hours earlier

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This is a developing story.

A second wave of mysterious explosions occurred across the country of Lebanon, and especially in its capital Beirut, according to Lebanese reports on Wednesday evening.

The Lebanese Health Ministry reported at least 14 killed and around 450 people wounded in a wave of explosions of communication devices, mainly handheld radios.

Reports came in from Beirut’s Dahiyeh district, the Bekaa Valley and southern Lebanon, all areas known for having a significant Hezbollah presence.

Most reports stated that the explosions targeted devices in the possession of Hezbollah operatives, with similar incidents reportedly taking place in Syria and Iraq.

BREAKING: Reports that during the Hezbollah commanders’ funerals today, the group’s communication devices (not pagers) continue to explode in Lebanon. pic.twitter.com/fVT2uvpNob
— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) September 18, 2024

Ehud Yaari, Channel 12's News Arabic Affairs Analyst, said: "The number of dead in Hezbollah's ranks is much higher than what was published, a large part of Hezbollah's commanders were disabled even if they were only wounded."

Senior Hezbollah official Hashem Safi al-Din said in a first response: “We are facing a ‘new stage’ and the punishment will inevitably come.”

Some of the blasts took place during a funeral for Hezbollah members who were killed as a result of the first wave of explosions of pagers, just over 24 hours before.

Footage on social media showed burning vehicles and destroyed apartments, indicating that larger amounts of explosives were involved in the second wave.

Reports of exploding communication devices included radios, walkie-talkies, cell phones, fingerprint devices, devices powered by solar energy and several others.

#Lebanon - Islamist Iran-backed militia of Hezbollah is reporting a second wave of attack that causing older pagers and walkie talks to blow up. Developing... pic.twitter.com/Kn4Jye0PsN
— Hussain Abdul-Hussain (@hahussain) September 18, 2024

Civil defense authorities in the town of Nabatiyeh in southern Lebanon reported extinguishing fires in 60 homes and shops, 15 vehicles and dozens of motorcycles.

According to Reuters, Hezbollah purchased the mobile radios that exploded about five months ago, approximately the same time the pagers that exploded yesterday were purchased.

While Hezbollah has blamed Israel for the sabotage operation, there has so far been no comment by any Israeli officials regarding the incident.